Tag: uncertain

When we find ourselves stuck in an unfavorable and painful circumstance, we tell ourselves that God is working behind the scenes. Though there is truth in this, I noticed how this mindset could be a bit faulty…

Imagine your life is a film and you play the lead character. The movie revolves around what your character goes through. No matter how unlikely, the audience knows that the lead role almost always survives. They may find themselves crying or doubting as the film progresses, but at the back of their minds, they know. Surely, the film will have a happy ending.

In our respective lives, we automatically take the role of the lead character. It’s a no-brainer. And similar to the assumption of the audience, we, too, believe with all our hearts that everything will work out in the end. We do all in our power to make sure it does because we need our happily ever after. We expect and demand it. After all, what kind of movie would our lives be without a desirable ending.

However, I want you to consider this. What if the film is NOT about you? What if you’re not the lead role. What if you’re just one of the extras crossing the street at 20:36:08- 20:39:78 of the movie. Three seconds—that’s all there is to your part. The audience won’t care if your shirt was untucked or if one earring was missing. You’re not essential in the story. The movie would be perfectly fine without you.

Take a step back and realize that this is actually what is true for those of us who claim to believe in God and in the Scriptures. The “movie” is NOT about us. The world doesn’t revolve around us. Year 2020 is not centered on us. I am not the lead character of the film. Year 2020 is about God as it has always been thousands of years before. The reason we keep saying God is working behind the scenes is that we see OURSELVES as the main characters, convinced that life is about US.

So when things go wrong in our lives, God is technically not working behind the scenes. No. God is at the FOREFRONT fulfilling His divine plan while you and I play our small and insignificant role. Our tragedies won’t ruin the story because…we’re not the lead role! However, unlike the protagonists in movies, God is not only concerned with His part in the film. God actually cares about our small and insignificant roles. He knows us by name and wants to use us to be part of something greater. He wants us to have more lines. He wants to develop the part we play in His film. He wants us to have more screen time with Him. Even if it’s HIS story, He wants us to be involved with Him so we can be part of how the story unfolds from the beginning to the happily ever after.

My point is this: Working behind the scenes is not God’s main job because He is working at the FOREFRONT, carrying out His role as He unfolds His grand plan. He is the star. His film is THE highest-grossing movie of all time. Spoiler alert: the ending has already been determined—evil will be defeated and the righteous shall prevail. You see, His film is the real deal and it’s unstoppable. And yes, everything will work out in the end—once He says it’s the end.

Surprisingly, God still chooses to work behind the scenes for you and me EVEN THOUGH He doesn’t have to. He shouldn’t have to care for us but doing so would defy who He is. It’s His nature to love so He attends to us. He helps us become significant and invites us to be involved in His work. It’s up to us if we want to tag along and be part of the His masterpiece.

As we go through this time of pandemic, our worries are magnified and we are blinded from the right perspective. Let’s step back to see the bigger picture. Take comfort knowing that our God is not just behind the scenes fixing our mess because He goes before us, leading the way to His promised victory.

He is not just a part of our lives; rather, we are a part of His will—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

We can trust Him because He is ABOVE ALL and He is ABLE.

 “He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 62:6